Official Match Thread Southend United v Oldham Athletic

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are the fifth League Two home game of the 2020/21 season and Mark Molesley’s fifth league home game in charge as manager of the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our fifth League Two match at home is against Oldham Athletic




It is now time for ALL of us to get behind him and the team whether you are listening on the radio, listening or watching on ifollow, you can still make that famous "Roots Hall Roar” even if you are at home.

Mark Molesley’s 5th Southend United League two Home Team of the 2020/21 season



The Roots Hall pitch looks fantastic and is ready for action at 7.00pm Tuesday 27th October 2020 against Oldham Athletic. It looks like we are going to have another breezy evening at Roots Hall with possibly of some light rain.





Here is the weather forecast for this evening at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 4 home games

Won 0
Dawn 1
Lost 3
Goals scored 2
Goals conceded 10

League Positions Last Season

22nd (2020/21 Season) League One Southend United (Relegated)
19th (2020/21 Season) League Two Oldham Athletic

League Positions Current Season

22nd (2020/21 Season) League Two Oldham Athletic
24th (2020/21 Season) League Two Southend United

Recent League Position Change



Previous Five Meetings

Oldham Athletic 0-3 Southend United (L1 24/04/18 Att. 3,362)
Southend United 2-0 Oldham Athletic (L1 02/12/17 Att. 5,608)
Southend United 3-0 Oldham Athletic (L1 01/04/17 Att. 7,617)
Oldham Athletic 0-2 Southend United (L1 17/12/16 Att. 3,414)
Southend United 0-1 Oldham Athletic (L1 19/04/16 Att. 6,506)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 17
Draws: 10
Oldham Athletic Wins: 12


Come On You Blues! ​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic’s Manager Harry Kewell​

Oldham Athletic’s Manager Harry Kewell will not be travelling to Roots Hall for this evenings game, he is currently in self-isolation after testing positive for Coronavirus. Assistant head coach Alan Maybury will take charge on the touchline.

Assistant head coach Alan Maybury​

Maybury Focused On Important Southend Game

In what may be his last game in charge before the return of Harry Kewell to the dugout after his period of isolation, the Assistant Head Coach is determined on getting back to winning ways.

“It's a quick turnaround, so certainly after Saturday we have no time to kind of feel sorry for ourselves. We had a chance to speak about Saturday's game and we're fully aware that we need to do better, certainly in the first 45 minutes.

“The Port Vale game has gone now though. So we’ve dealt with that and have to move on and look forward to the Southend fixture. It’s a long trip and these journey’s are always much better if you come back with something positive.”

He added: “Across this season there’s a couple of spells like this where games come thick and fast and if you can string a good bit of form together you can quickly move forward.

“We thought we'd kind of turned that corner a little bit last week but then obviously we’re left extremely disappointed on Saturday. The good thing is we can quickly put it right again and there’s always another opportunity not too far away.

“We're under no illusions it's going to be difficult, but it’s up to us and certainly the players to make this opportunity count and get some more points on the board. If we can do that, as I said, it’ll make the long journey back a lot easier.

“We’ll then have a couple more days recovery and then we're straight into another big game on Saturday where points and pride are up for grabs again, so we’re fully aware of the situation we're in this week.

“Now we have to move forward and look ahead in terms of improving the team technically and tactically and also becoming harder to beat.”

One area of concern has been the number of goals conceded so early on in the season but Maybury said it’s something they’ll keep working hard on to rectify whilst also looking to keep the attacking side.

“We've actually done quite a bit of work on the defensive side and will continue to do until we get it right as a group.

“Now in the heat of the battle, if you like, we need to make sure we're narrow and compact as most teams have managed to get us a little bit stretched, far too much for our liking.

“We're obviously attacking well and still scoring goals. So we look like a threat and will make sure the way we prepare and set up that is still the case.

“But it's just making sure when we don't have the ball, everyone to a man is getting back behind the ball. We’ve got to make sure we’re attacking and defending as a team.

“We're doing it in the counter attacks and then not when we end up ultimately conceding disappointing goals.

“If we’re honest, we're getting picked off a little bit too easily, apart from set pieces which we know we need to improve on quickly, we just need to be a little bit more compact as a team though.”

With the odd player still doubtful due to fitness, the one major immediate concern ahead of the fixture is whether striker Zak Dearnley can feature. Scoring three in as many games the club will be hoping he pulls through as he’s seen as a vital part of the attack.

“I think in terms of selection we’ve got pretty much the same squad that we had on Saturday.

“With the tight turnaround there’s a couple of light knocks again that have carried over but we’ll manage that on an individual basis.

“[George] Blackwood’s just not quite fit yet still, he needs some more time on the training pitch to get up to standard and the only one that is concerning us from the weekend is [Zak] Dearnley. He’s touch and go whether he’ll be fit, but he’ll travel with us and if he gets the go ahead as a late decision, we’ll use him as he’s been brilliant recently and is full of confidence.”

He continued: “With the quick turnaround we’ve still done our preparation on Southend, as there are no easy games in this division and never will be.

“They’ll be looking at this fixture as well to get their season underway properly and we need to make sure we focus on the task in hand and put in a professional, confident performance.

“I keep saying we're close, but we just need to keep at it to get those results to give the players a little more belief.

“They’re a good group, and there’s some characters that know they need to stand up and be counted now to help the club move forward quickly.

“It’s a new team, yes, but there’s quite a few boys who know each other, or, have got to know each other properly now, so a positive result always helps build that confidence to the next level when you're trying to implement something new or trying to build something.”

Stepping in at short notice, Maybury is still relishing the opportunity as the main man on the touchline.

“It's still been a bit hectic but it's been good and I’ve really enjoyed it. The gaffer has been brilliant and kept in touch as much as he can and we’ve managed to spend a bit of time getting everything organised remotely.

“Everyone at the club has fully supported me in what has been a testing time for all away from football, but my role hasn’t changed much.

“We know how we want to set up the team and what we're looking for in training. Obviously it falls onto me for the actual preparation on the training pitch, but in the game the players have to show everyone they can turn the current results around and start to build some form.

“If we can just get that important result against Southend then it’ll be a big step forward to ensure we can play with more confidence and start to climb the table again.”

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Southend United

Mark Molesley talks to Southend United OS before today’s game with Oldham Athletic

Molesley: “We Need To Come Out Fighting”

Southend United Manager Mark Molesley talks with Tom Prodomo​

Mark Molesley believes Southend United will come through their difficult start to the season much stronger as a group and as individuals.

Blues go into Tuesday night’s encounter with Oldham Athletic searching for their first league win.

Despite a good performance away to Tranmere at the weekend, Blues were left empty-handed and with nothing to show for their efforts.

Molesley said the lessons his side are learning will help them in the long run.

"Football can change in an instant, sometimes for the worst but also for the best,” he said.

"We’ve got to be positive. These are great lessons we’re learning at the moment and they’re going to stand us in great stead going forward. Not just in football but in life.

"Life doesn’t always go the way you want it. Things land on your lap and you have to fight and work through it. Tough times makes tough people and stronger people.

"We’ve got to use these knock backs to make us tougher, stronger and more resilient so that when we come through the other side, we’re going to be a lot stronger, as a squad, for it."

On tonight’s game against The Latics, who sit two places and three points above Blues in the Sky Bet League Two standings, Molesley said his side need to come out fighting.

"The next game is always the most important game,” he added.

"We're well aware of the task at hand and another tough challenge awaits but one we can't wait to tackle.

"Especially after the disappointment of Saturday, we can't wait to get back out there to try and get that elusive win.

"Ultimately, the aim of football is about what you do in both penalty boxes and we know we have to sharpen up at both ends, we'll certainly be looking to do that, but on the whole Saturday was a positive performance and I'm sure if we perform to that level and sharpen up in both boxes those wins aren't far away.

"We created a lot more chances, had a lot of the ball and used it well and unfortunately couldn't find that breakthrough, and goals do change games.

"One was a set play against the run of play and the other was a cruel deflection. At the moment those things are going against us but as I’ve said all along, we’ll never feel sorry for ourselves.

"We need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and come out fighting."

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Mark Molesley talks to Chris Phillips at the Echo before today’s game with Oldham Athletic

Mark Molesley feels Southend United are improving and will come out fighting against Oldham Athletic

Southend United boss Mark Molesley​

Mark Molesley is certain his winless Southend United side will come out fighting against Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers – who have gone 11 games without victory this season – sit bottom of the League Two table.

But Molesley believes Blues will soon start to turn things around.

“We won’t feel sorry for ourselves, we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and come back fighting which I’m sure we will,” said Molesley.

“I know the League table doesn’t look great for us but we’re in a build phase and we’re getting better.

“Football can change in an instant too.”

Blues were beaten 2-0 at Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

But Molesley was encouraged by aspects of the display.

“We need to sharpen up at both ends and we’re looking to do that but on the whole Saturday was a very positive performance,” said the 39-year-old.

“It’s another tough challenge now but it’s one we can’t wait to tackle.

“We can’t wait to get back onto the field and get that elusive first win.”

Oldham head to Roots Hall sitting 22nd in the League Two standings, three points above the Shrimpers.

But Molesley is concentrating on just his own side’s display.

“We have to focus on ourselves and keep pushing the positives and keep believing because sooner or later we will turn the tide.

We have to be positive and we’re learning some great lessons at the moment that will stand us in good stead moving forward.

“If you keep working hard and keep believing in yourself then eventually you will get to your goal.”

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The Big Preview

Southend United vs Oldham Athletic

​

Overview

Following back-to-back away trips, Blues are back home this evening for the first of two successive home games as they entertain Oldham Athletic at Roots Hall (7.00pm KO).

Mark Molesley’s side came back empty-handed after defeats to Salford and Tranmere and will hope that under the lights in Essex that their fortunes will change with a first league win.

In their way are an Oldham side who too lost at the weekend and will be without their manager, Harry Kewell, in the dugout as he continues to self-isolate after testing positive for Coronavirus.

Form

Blues currently sit bottom of the table in League Two after picking up just two points from their eight games so far thanks to draws against Crawley and Exeter.

Last weekend saw Southend lose 2-0 to Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park despite dominating for large periods, having fallen to a 3-0 defeat to Salford City on the road last week.

Oldham come into tonight three points clear of Southend and just a point outside the relegation zone, with The Latics picking up one win and two draws from their last six league games.

Last Meeting

Tuesday 24th April 2018
Oldham Athletic 0-3 Southend United
Robinson 5’, Cox 52’, 56’

Southend put Oldham to the sword the last time these two sides met in 2018 as Blues picked up a 3-0 win at Boundary Park to edge The Latics closer to relegation from League One.

Theo Robinson opened the scoring after just five minutes tapping in from close range before a quick-fire double from Simon Cox in the second-half secured all three points for Blues.

From The Boss

"The next game is always the most important game.

"We're well aware of the task at hand and another tough challenge awaits but one we can't wait to tackle, especially after the disappointment of Saturday, we can't wait to get back out there to try and get that elusive win.

"Ultimately, the aim of football is about what you do in both penalty boxes and we know we have to sharpen up at both ends, we'll certainly be looking to do that, but on the whole Saturday was a positive performance and I'm sure if we perform to that level and sharpen up in both boxes those wins aren't far away.

"We created a lot more chances, had a lot of the ball and used it well and unfortunately couldn't find that breakthrough, and goals do change games.

"One was a set play against the run of play and the other was a cruel deflection. At the moment those things are going against us but as I’ve said all along, we’ll never feel sorry for ourselves.

"We need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and come out fighting."

Blues Team News

Speaking after the defeat to Tranmere on Saturday, Molesley didn’t expect there to be any returning faces available for tonight’s visit of Oldham.

John White has returned to training and has taken part in a light session but is highly unlikely to feature, while Molesley is hopeful that Simeon Akinola will join in with training later this week.

Alan McCormack is edging closer to a return, while Nathan Ralph is waiting on a scan this week to find out the extent of his knee injury picked up against Salford, ruling him out of tonight's game.

Oldham Dangerman

Only one person we could possibly choose as dangerman tonight and that is Oldham striker Conor McAleny who already has eight goals to his name so far this season.

McAleny joined Oldham in the summer from Fleetwood and immediately found his shooting boots with goals against Carlisle, Crawley, Colchester, Morecambe, and Wolves u21s.

The 28-year-old though is going through a bit of a dry spell with no goal in his last three, but having scored eight in his first eight appearances this season, he is undoubtedly going to be a huge threat.

Ref Watch

Christopher Sarginson will be the man in charge this evening at Roots Hall, being assisted by Gregory Read and Adrian Tranter, while David Rock comes in as the fourth official.

Sarginson has been refereeing in the Football League for 12 years now and so far this season has taken charge of seven matches, issuing 19 yellow cards and one red.

The last time the Staffordshire ref officiated Blues was in last season’s Carabao Cup where he oversaw Southend 2-1 win against Stevenage back in August 2019.

iFollow Blues

With fans still unable to attend matches in person, Blues fans can watch tonight’s clash with Oldham by picking up a Match Pass for iFollow Blues for £10.

The Match Pass allows you to view the game on your laptop, computer, tablet, or mobile device, and Season Card holders have been sent their unique access codes.

Non-Season card holders can purchase their pass to the game by clicking here. And for more information on how to access iFollow Blues, click here.

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Southend United v Oldham Athletic Programme


Roots Review for the Oldham Athletic at home on Tuesday 27th October.​

The matchday programme for the game at Roots Hall (7pm KO) sees Elvis Bwomono featured, as he reflects on his time away on international duty with Uganda.

Once again, this copy will be produced to a schedule that allows for delivery before matchday if bought before midnight (Thursday, 22nd October), subject to Royal Mail service levels being maintained. Any orders that go through after cannot be guaranteed to arrive in time for the game.

The programme costs £3.00 plus P+P of £0.99 for postage to a UK address. Overseas deliveries will incur an increased P&P charge which will be calculated based on the delivery address.

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Come On You Blues! ​

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Team unchanged from Saturday (except they spelt "Brandon" correctly this time!)

 

[The Big Dady]

Oldham Athletic Team

 

[brigg blue]

Right, time to blow a tenner !

 

[jackj13]

Just seen the Oldham team on Twitter. There fans don’t seem to keen at all but I don’t know enough about them!

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

their fans don't seem too impressed with their line up!

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

I'm off to watch TV and mute all my social media ? don't @ me.

I'm clearly bad luck, Southend is better off without me watching.

 

[palexander]

Right, time to blow a tenner !

Oral sex with an opera singer?!

 

[Cricko]

A big welcome back to @The Big Dady and his brilliant Match thread starters. ?

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Their fans on twitter did cheer me up! The general consensus is that they're not too impressed with their lineup! ?

 

[jackj13]

6 changes for Oldham according to Chris Phillips!

 

[MisterStubbs]

Must Win Game..

Come on you Blues!

 

[Richard Hearn]

Their fans on twitter did cheer me up! The general consensus is that they're not too impressed with their lineup! ?

They will probably be a lot cheerier come 8:45.

 

[Ricey]

View attachment 13157

their fans don't seem too impressed with their line up!

Do they not know how **** we are?

 

[FarmdogSUFC]

They will probably be a lot cheerier come 8:45.

Kewell gets the sack after being humiliated by bottom of the league Southend United?

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

I’ve a feeling we’re going to batter this lot. 4-0 Southend.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

They've obviously been watching us quite a lot and have decided that parking the bus and trying to hold out for a point is their best plan! Or else, they know something we don't and fail to see any reason for puting out their best side when all points gained by teams who have played against us will soon be cancelled

 

[Barling Magna]

These are the latest comments from the Oldham fans forum about their team selection for tonight:


"Completely mental team selection. I'm just amazed. Total madness.


Jesus H Christ. Hamer dropped I agree with, the rest is beyond belief.


WTF....Has AL got a bet on us being relegated...seems like if you score you’re dropped!


Good grief


Baffling!


I’m beyond angry and frustrated these days and at the point of just laughing."


Sound familiar.....?

 

[jarvisyeh]

When was the last time we fielded an unchanged team??